Ants exhibiting both red and black coloration are common, but this description refers to a diverse group of species rather than a single type. These ants vary greatly in size, habitat, and behavior, making precise identification important for understanding their presence. Recognizing their specific characteristics can help distinguish them from one another and from other insects.
Common Red and Black Ant Species
Carpenter ants often display a reddish-brown head and thorax with a black abdomen. These large ants, with workers measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, excavate wood to create nests rather than consuming it. They commonly establish colonies in moist or decaying wood, including structural elements of homes such as wall voids, attics, and around windows. Carpenter ants forage at night, seeking sweet liquids like honeydew and various protein sources, including other insects.
Fire ants, such as the red imported fire ant, are smaller, ranging from 1/16 to 1/5 of an inch, and feature reddish-brown foreparts with a darker, black abdomen. These ants are aggressive and recognized for their painful, venomous stings that can result in burning welts. Fire ants construct dome-shaped mounds in open, sunny areas like lawns and pastures, though they can also nest in rotten wood or under concrete.
Harvester ants are larger, up to 1/2 inch, and can be red to dark brown or black. Some have long hairs resembling a “brush” under their chin. These ants prefer dry, open habitats where they build deep underground nests, often surrounded by cleared areas of vegetation. They are primarily seed-eaters and are not found nesting indoors.
Velvet ants are wingless female wasps, not true ants, that fit the red and black description. These solitary insects, measuring 1/8 to 1 1/4 inches, have a dense, fuzzy coating of brightly colored hairs, often with black bands. They are known for their painful sting and are observed running rapidly across the ground.
Key Identification Features
Distinguishing true ants from other insects, like velvet ants, involves observing anatomical characteristics. True ants possess a segmented body with a constricted waist called a petiole. Their antennae are elbowed. In contrast, velvet ants lack this constricted waist and have a more uniform, fuzzy body.
Further identification of ant species relies on the petiole, which can have one or two visible “nodes” or bumps. Carpenter ants, for example, have a single node, while fire ants and pavement ants have two. The number of segments in the antenna beyond the bend can also be a differentiating factor.
Nest characteristics provide clues for identification. Fire ants and many harvester ants create visible soil mounds, while carpenter ants leave behind sawdust-like material as they tunnel through wood. Observing an ant’s behavior, such as nocturnal foraging in carpenter ants or the aggressive stinging response of fire ants, also aids identification.
When Red and Black Ants Become a Concern
Red and black ants can become a concern under certain circumstances. Carpenter ants can cause structural damage to homes by excavating and tunneling through wooden elements, compromising structural integrity. This damage often remains hidden, making detection challenging until deterioration becomes evident.
Beyond property damage, some ant species pose health risks. Fire ants and harvester ants can inflict painful stings, and in some individuals, these stings may trigger allergic reactions ranging from localized swelling to severe systemic reactions. Ants can also contaminate food and surfaces by carrying bacteria into kitchens and food preparation areas.
A persistent or large presence of ants, or their reappearance despite control efforts, indicates a potential infestation requiring professional intervention. The appearance of winged ants indoors can also signal an established colony within a structure. When concerns arise regarding property damage, health risks, or ineffective DIY methods, consult pest control professionals for identification and management.